Forensic Pathology

- postmortem investigation of
sudden or unexpected death or
trauma to the living

Role of the Forensic Pathologist

4 broad determinations to be made:
A. Cause of Death medical diagnosis denoting
disease or injury
B. Mechanism of Death altered physiology by
which disease/injury produces death
(arrhythmia, exsanguination)
C. Manner of Death
1. Homicide 2. Suicide 3. Accidental 4. Natural Causes
5. Unknown

D. Time of Death

Time of Death
Can estimate time of death from
body temperature (algor mortis)
estimate: [98.6 oF rectal temp]/1.5

insect action (forensic entomology)

stomach contents (stage of digestion)
last known activity (last sighting, newspaper/mail)
normal postmortem changes

Time of Death
Entomology

Time of Death
Can estimate time of death from
body temperature (algor mortis)
estimate: [98.6 oF rectal temp]/1.5

insect action (forensic entomology)

stomach contents (stage of digestion)
last known activity (last sighting, newspaper/mail)
normal postmortem changes

The Body Farm

1 acre of land owned by the University of Tennessee

Normal Postmortem Changes

1. rigor mortis
2. livor mortis
3. desiccation
4. putrefaction
5. cell autolysis (also called butyric fermentation)
6. dry decay

Rigor Mortis

Body warm

not stiff

less than 3 hours

Body warm

stiff

3-8 hours

Body cool

stiff

8-36 hours

Body cool

not stiff

more than 36 hours

Livor Mortis

Desiccation

Normal Postmortem Changes

1. rigor mortis
2. livor mortis
3. desiccation
4. putrefaction (days 4-10)
5. cell autolysis (days 10-20)
6. dry decay (days 20-50)

Trauma to the Human Body

Role of the Pathologist

1. Determine type of wound

2. Measure the dimensions (length, width,
depth)
3. Position relative to anatomical landmarks
4. Determine initial location if wound involves
cutting, slashing, etc.
5. Determine height from heel

Types of Wounds (Trauma)

1. Lacerations
2. Incised Wound
3. Puncture
4. Abrasion
5. Contusion
6. Gunshot

Lacerations

Incised Wounds
Slash

Stab

Puncture penetrating injury due to an object with no blade

Abrasions

Contusions
Color changes a bruise goes
through can give rough
estimate of time of injury
Dark blue/purple (1-18 hours)
Blue/brown (~1 to 2days)
Green (~ 2 to 3 days)
Yellow (~3 to 7 days)

Assumes person is healthy.

Gunshot Wounds
Things for pathologist to learn:
type of firearm
distance of gun to victim
entrance vs exit wounds
track of projectile

Gunshot Wounds

Starring of a
contact wound
barrel touching the
skin

Stippling powder burns on

the skin when the gun is
inches to a few feet from the
victim

Autopsy Procedures

Who Am I? (Who was I?)

Autopsy
Steps Involved:
1. External Examination
a. measurements - length, weight
b. inspection of external surface for injury,
discoloration, cause of death signs
2. Opening of Trunk
a. Y incision
b. Open rib cage
c. Condition of heart
d. Remove organs

Cause of Death

Petechial hemorrhage as a result of strangulation

Cause of Death

Discoloration or bruising is noted and often hints

at a cause of death diagnosis

Autopsy
Steps Involved:
1. External Examination
a. measurements - length, weight
b. inspection of external surface
2. Opening of Trunk
a. Y incision
b. Open rib cage
c. Condition of heart
d. Remove organs

Autopsy

Y incision

Autopsy
2d. Remove Organs:
must cut ligaments holding organs in the body cavity
and through the trachea and rectum
transfer organ block to a dissecting table
examine organs in proper order (weigh, physical exam in
and out, take tissue samples, save other appropriate
samples)
heart liver spleen kidneys pancreas
bladder genitalia complete G.I. tract
- save postage stamp sized amount of tissue
- examine tissue under a microscope for bacteria,
disease

Cause of Death

Autopsy
Steps Involved:
3. Remove brain
cut around cranium using Stryker saw
store for 2 weeks in 10% formaldehyde
4. Closing